New Categories for JCDC Performing Arts Competition

New categories have been introduced in the annual Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival of the Performing Arts Competition, for which entries are now being accepted.

The categories are in the areas of drama and music. Interested persons have until January 15 to make their submissions.

Drama Development Specialist of the JCDC, Dwayne Brown, told JIS News that improvisation has been added to the drama genre and this category is directed towards more experienced actors.

Competitors will be required to develop a drama production utilising given stimuli and they will have only five minutes to prepare their presentation.

“(Actors) are evaluated on characterisation, interpretation, plot development, directing, and stage design,” Mr. Brown explained.

There are three stages of the drama competition. These comprise the audition round from the end of January into February; the parish finals in March; and the national finals at the Little Theatre in Kingston in April.

In order to move on to the parish finals, participants must achieve a score of at least 65 out of 100 during the auditions. During the parish finals, actors can receive a certificate of merit, or bronze, silver or gold medals for their performance. The person with the highest gold medal in each parish moves on to the national final.

Mr. Brown told JIS News that at the national level, the focus is on standout performances and so awards will be made for best actors and actresses, best script, among others.

Meanwhile, Music Development Specialist of the JCDC, Avory Crooks Campbell, told JIS News that jazz and world music have been added to the  music competition “to widen (its) scope.”

Musicians will be evaluated on technique, musicianship and stage presence, among other areas. A full list of all categories and criteria can be found at the JCDC website.

Auditions for music start in February; parish finals in March, and the national finals will take place in early April.

Mrs. Crooks Campbell pointed out that during the audition round “persons do not necessarily have to perform the entire piece. (Jurors) listen to enough of it to decide whether or not it is suitable to go to another round.”

Preparation workshops of the drama and music competitions have already taken place and these sessions focused on the weaknesses identified by the JCDC.

Entry forms for the Performing Arts Competition are available at the JCDC website at: www.jcdc.gov.jm; at the JCDC Head Office located at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10, and all JCDC parish offices islandwide.